Frequently Asked Questions
What is the History of the SFU Women's Centre?
The Women's Centre Collective grew out of the Women's Caucus of the Simon Fraser Student Society, which held its first meetings in 1968. The first Women's Centre on campus opened in 1974, and many years later the Centre moved to its current space in TC 3013. Since its establishment on the hill the Centre's has brought about the improvement of campus childcare facilities, the organizing of International Women's Day events, December 6 vigils, self-defense classes and other programming.
Where is the men's centre?
The simple answer is that the men's centre is everywhere else.
Though we often don't think about it, men and women move through this campus (and the world) in very different ways and that is because Canadian society is still (by and large) a man's world. For example, if a women walking alone on campus at night is approached by a group of drunk guys she is likely to get scared, and clutch her keys. On the other hand, if a guy is walking alone on campus at night and is approached by a bunch of drunk girls, it is unlikely that fear would be his first response. Other times we might be sitting in a class full of women, and the only voices that are heard are those of the 4 males in the class. You might also see that women aren't really discussed in the course material very much, or that most of the authors you read are not women. This is not to say that all women share these same experiences, or that other things like race, ability, class, and sexuality are not also important. However this does show that this society is still clearly patriarchal.
The Women's Centre on this campus doesn't take up that much space (about 18x30 ft) and it provides a safe space for women to relax, study, cook or sleep. We know that everyone on campus wants to ensure women's safety and this small space helps to do just that.
Would the Women's Centre support the Creation of a men's centre?
Our support would be contingent on that centre's mission statement, vision, and mandate. If the centre were about challenging popular conceptions about masculinity, confronting homophobia, sexism, racism, classism, and ability issues then we would definitely be the first to promote and fundraise for such a group. On the other hand we would not be cool with a men's centre focussed on maintaining the old boys club. We are not interested in seeing a group or centre develop that promotes the status quo, encourages sexual assault, or fosters an atmosphere of competition and violence.
What is International Women's Day?
International Women's Day (IWD) has been observed since the early 1900's and was tied to the sufferage and labour movements. On IWD we recognize women's participation in the labour movement, and demand greater rights for female labourers. IWD is an official holiday in many countries, and is used as an opportunity for men to recognize the important women in their lives (a kind of valentines day and mothers day rolled into one).
What does December 6th Commemorate?
December 6th has been declared the National Day of Rememberance and Action on Violence Against Women. The event commorates not only the 14 female engineering students killed on December 6, 1989 at l'Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, but all women affected by violence.
What Does it mean to be Sex -positive?
This means that the Women's Centre is committed to providing sex positive information that promotes pleasure, growth, honest communication, safety and informed choices across all genders, orientations and expresstions.
What Does it Mean to be pro-choice?
This means that the Women's Centre is committed to ensuring women's right to control their bodies and reporductive lives. This means that we work to support student moms on campus, and women who opt to forego a pregnancy, and oppose forced abortions, sterilizations, or pregnancies.
What does it mean to be anti-racist?
This means that the Women's Centre has a zero tolerance policy on racism, and ethnocentrism that discredits others, and decreases relations between cultural and racial communities.
What does it mean to be pro-feminist?
This means that the Women's Centre is committed to the struggle for women's rights and is opposed to all forms of oppression. Basically we believe that no one in this world should be treated as a doormat and that we are all entitled to receiving respect and social and political rights.
What does it mean to be trans-and intersex inclusive?
This means that the Women's Centre is committed to ensuring that trans and intersex women's rights are respected in SFU Women's Centre on the SFU Campus and everywhere else as well.
What are the Rotunda Groups?
The Rotunda groups are a collection of student-run organizations located in the Rotunda area that help students get involved in the campus community in a meaningful way. All of the organizations operate independently, and are funded either through the SFSS or through small fee levies. All of the Rotunda groups offer volunteer and job training opportunities, skills and training, social space and a way for you to plug into life on the SFU campus and beyond. For more on the Rotunda Groups please see www.studentrotunda.ca.
How can men get involved with the women's centre?
There are a lot of ways men can get involved with the women's centre. They can become an event volunteer helping us flip pancakes and mix up batter at our open houses, or putting up posters around campus, they can invite the women's centre to be part of an event that they are planning or they can join our males allies group.
What is the Male Allies Project?
Though still in its conceptual form; the male allies project is the brainchild of the women's centre designed to bring self-identified men together to talk about masculity and its harmful affects on both men and women. We know that many men are concerned with the way masculinity denegrates women by making them into sexual objects, is homophobic, encourages violence, and discourages emotional expression. It is the hope of the women's centre that the male allies project will help men address these concerns in conjunction with other men.
Where can I find more resources on being an ally?
The women's centre library has a male allies section that we encourage all interested men to make us of, beyond that you will likely have to look off campus and online for resources.
Off-Campus:
In the Vancouver area SASC and BWSS are both running a male allies project, feel free to contact them to get involved, or visit their websites for more resources.
Sexual Assult Support Centre (SASC): www2.ams.ubc.ca/index.php/services/category/sexual_assault_support_centre,
604-827-5180. E-mail: sascprog@ams.ubc.ca
Battered Women Support Services (BWSS): www.bwss.org, 604-687-1868
We Can BC: Dedicated to changing attitudes and behaviours which encourage and allow for violence against women. It puts on workshops that are open to both men and women. www.wecanbc.ca, e-mail: info@wecanbc.ca.
Some great websites:
XY: Men Masculinities and gender politics. It is a space for the exploration & discussion of issues of gender and sexuality, and of personal and social change. It features articles on key ‘men’s issues’, from fathering and men’s health, to class, race and sexuality, to domestic violence.
The White Ribbon Campaign: An international non-profit organization commited to seeing men work towards ending violence against women.
Men Engage: A global alliance of non-governmental organizations that are involved in an array of research, interventions, and policy initiatives seeking to engage men and boys in effective ways to reduce gender inequalities and promote health and the well-being of women, men, and children.
Men For Change: It is dedicated to promoting positive masculinity and ending sexism and violence.
NOMAS: National Organzation For Men Against Sexism Pro-feminist, gay-affirming, anti-racist, and enhancing men's lives.
Oh Brother! Exposing the phallicies of the pro-feminist men's movement (they have a special hate on for NOMAS).
We do encourage men interested in being a male ally to take Women's Studies 101 (An Introduction to Women's Issues in Canada) or Gender Studies 200 (Thinking About Gender).
